Multiplexed and high-throughput neuronal fluorescence imaging with diffusible probes

Abstract

Synapses contain hundreds of distinct proteins whose heterogeneous expression levels are determinants of synaptic plasticity and signal transmission relevant to a range of diseases. Here, we use diffusible nucleic acid imaging probes to profile neuronal synapses using multiplexed confocal and super-resolution microscopy. Confocal imaging is performed using high-affinity locked nucleic acid imaging probes that stably yet reversibly bind to oligonucleotides conjugated to antibodies and peptides. Super-resolution PAINT imaging of the same targets is performed using low-affinity DNA imaging probes to resolve nanometer-scale synaptic protein organization across nine distinct protein targets. Our approach enables the quantitative analysis of thousands of synapses in neuronal culture to identify putative synaptic sub-types and co-localization patterns from one dozen proteins. Application to characterize synaptic reorganization following neuronal activity blockade reveals coordinated upregulation of the post-synaptic proteins PSD-95, SHANK3 and Homer-1b/c, as well as increased correlation between synaptic markers in the active and synaptic vesicle zones.

Document Details

Document Type
Pub Defense Publication
Publication Date
Sep 26, 2019
Source ID
10.1038/s41467-019-12372-6

Entities

People

  • Anthony B. Kulesa
  • Demian Park
  • Edward Boyden
  • Eike-Christian Wamhoff
  • Eric Danielson
  • Jeffrey R. Cottrell
  • Karen Perez De Arce
  • Li Li
  • Mark Bathe
  • Paul Blainey
  • RĂ©mi Veneziano
  • Simon Gordonov
  • Syuan-ming Guo

Organizations

  • National Institutes of Health
  • National Science Foundation
  • United States Army

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Biology

Readers

  • Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry
  • Nanoscale Plasmonic Nanotechnology
  • Neuroscience

Technology Areas

  • Biotechnology
  • Biotechnology - Cancer Biotech